Vehicle Seat Back Impact Pad with Energy Absorbing Foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat back structures lack an effective energy-absorbing safety feature that maintains comfort and appearance while protecting occupants from impact during sudden stops or collisions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat back design incorporating an impact pad with energy-absorbing foam, such as expandable polypropylene, between the pad body and the seat back frame, which matches the frame's contour and includes support ribs or foam for enhanced energy absorption and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid seat back frame with basic cushioning is used, then structural support is provided, but occupant protection during impact is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant protectionVSAvoidimpact severity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning an impact pad with energy-absorbing foam between the seat back frame and the rear seat cushion before impact occurs. The foam is pre-configured to deform and absorb energy during collision, protecting the frame and reducing impact severity to occupants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the seat back system by introducing a foam material with specific energy-absorbing properties. The foam's density, compression characteristics, and thickness are optimized to transform the rigid structure into a system that can dynamically absorb impact energy while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If energy absorbing foam is added to the impact pad, then impact energy is absorbed effectively, but material usage and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorptionVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing energy-absorbing foam only in specific locations where impact forces are most likely to occur, rather than throughout the entire seat back. The foam is concentrated in the impact pad area between the frame and cushion, providing targeted energy absorption with minimal material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the seat back structure into distinct functional zones: the rigid frame for structural support, the impact pad with foam for energy absorption, and the cushion for occupant comfort. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while using materials efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively reduces the severity of impacts by absorbing energy, maintaining the seat's appearance and comfort while providing structural support and cost efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

An impact pad is supported on the seat back frame. The impact pad includes a pad body that is located on a rear side of the seat back frame. The impact pad also includes an energy absorbing foam located between the pad body and the seat back frame.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through foam deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10195969B2Vehicle seat with energy absorbing impact pad

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 LEAR CORP

AI summary

A vehicle seat back includes a seat back frame. An impact pad is supported on the seat back frame. The impact pad includes a pad body that is located on a rear side of the seat back frame. The impact pad includes a frame contact surface that matches a contour of the seat back frame. The vehicle seat back also includes one of more spaces located between the pad body and the seat back frame.